Finding Love Again

Chapter 7

I woke up to my alarm at 5.30am to get me up for work. When turning my alarm off I noticed I had missed multiple midnight birthday messages. Sarah, Cody, my mum and Rachel had all sent me messages right on midnight. I smiled to myself feeling special. Then groaning as I had to get up for work. Gosh I need a new job that doesn’t have me out of bed so damn early! 

I walked into work with a giant smile on my face. All morning you couldn’t wipe it off, regular customers all wishing me a happy birthday because Sarah kept telling them. I noticed my boss was watching me and smirking. “What’s got you sooo damn happy girl? I know it’s your birthday, but damn!” She asked.

Sarah answered her before I could, “she’s in lurrvveeee” she giggled. 

“Love is a bit of an overstatement” I replied. “We only started seeing each other a few weeks ago and just made it official yesterday! Hold your horses woman!” 

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever you say! Oh look who’s hear!! Speak of the devil” she said as the cafe door opened, Cody and Tom walked in, carrying a big bunch of birthday balloons. I laughed at how ridiculously cheesy the sight looked as the boys started singing Happy Birthday, Sarah, my boss and a couple of the regular customers joining in. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I leant across the counter giving Cody a kiss. “Hey! Just because it’s your birthday, no kissing on my counter!” My boss laughing as she told me off. 

“Thank you!!” I said as I took the balloons while Sarah made the boys their coffee’s. “Ready to meet my family tonight?” I asked him. “Sure, I’m cool as a cucumber” he said winking. They paid for their coffee’s and sadly had to go get back to work, I too had to continue working before my boss really told me off! “I’ll see you later, 5pm my place. Don’t be late!” 

**** 

It was 4.45pm, I just finished my make up, tied my hair up in a high pony tail and went to get dressed. It was a warm night in the middle of summer, so I chose to wear a dress. This one is a navy floral dress, with a high halter neck, it was tight to my hips and then had a loose skirt. It came mid thigh, paired with my nude wedges, some small hoop earrings and I put my rose gold bracelet on that mum got me for last years birthday. Just as I was clasping the bracelet there was a quick knock on the door as it opened and Cody walked in. I told him he is more than welcome to walk inside my house whenever he comes over without waiting for me to open the door. “Hey beautif... wow!! You look great” Cody smiled, walking up and placing a kiss on my head. He was in beige chino’s, brown boat shoes and a navy shirt with small white spots. Speaking of hot! “Oh thanks. You don’t look too bad yourself! We are a bit matchy matchy! I guess navy is our colour haha!” The navy made Cody’s blue eyes pop even more. “Ok, let’s go! It’s an hour drive and that’s if traffic is good! Want to take my car, I’ll drive? Then you can have a beer.” 

“Sure. Sounds like a plan.” We locked up the house and hopped in the car to head off to my mums. I put on a fun sing along playlist in the car for the long drive. Perfect by Ed Sheeran came on and Cody started singing along “Baby, I'm dancing in the dark with you between my arms. Barefoot on the grass, we're listenin' to our favourite rite song. When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath. But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight” he sang and I looked over at him gobsmacked. “Wow boy! You can actually sing!! I’m impressed!” He smiled knowingly at me, “I enjoy some karaoke here and there, but I’m really not that good” “you can sing to me anytime” I winked at him. The rest of the drive we chatted and sang when good songs came on. I gave him the lowdown on everyone in my family, including the background about my dad. I used to get upset over my dad, but now it doesn’t bother me. I told him about my brother Nick, his recent separation and the amazing kids! I love seeing my two nephews and my niece, Jake is 8, Nathan is 6 and Katie is 4. My mum has a partner  too, we don’t really get along, but he is tolerable, his name is Justin. 

“Ok, the house is just up here on the right! You ready?”

“Bring it baby” he reached over and put his hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. I parked the car and we got out, heading to the front door hand in hand. I opened the door, letting us in calling out “Hello! We’re here!” I heard mum call out from the kitchen as three lots of small feet came running towards us. “Aunty Sophiaaaa!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!” They yelled out running to me and smothering me in hugs. “Hey guys! I’ve missed you!!” I exclaimed, crouching down to their level to give each a hug and a kiss. Katie suddenly got really shy looking up at Cody, then Nathan whispered in my ear “who’s that?” “Guys this is Cody, he’s my new friend!” Jake, being the oldest laughed and said “ooooo, Aunty is he your boyfrieennddd” making kissing noises. “Haha yess kiddo, that’s right! Now come on and let’s go see everyone else!” We began to walk through to see everyone else, Katie looked up at Cody and smiled, which I knew was her deciding she liked him, otherwise she would run away. She held onto my left hand with her right, then grabbed Cody’s right hand with her left, walking in between us. 

“Hey everyone!” My mum turned towards me and my brother looked up at us entering the room. Mum came over to hug me, clearly taking in Cody, a look of approval in her eyes. 

“Happy Birthday sweetheart” she smothered me in a big hug. “And you must be Cody. So lovely to meet you. Even if I didn’t know about you until yesterday!” Mum tried to tell me off, but knew that she couldn’t. She understood. “Happy Birthday sis! And Cody is it?” My brother gave me a hug, and reached out to shake Cody’s hand. 

“Yeah, nice to meet you. Nice to me everyone!” 

“You’ve already got Katie’s approval, that’s a good thing!” My brother said. He was trying really hard to play the role of big brother, but honestly he was failing miserably. 

“Well come on in! Don’t just stand in the doorway. Here sit down! Kids, go play with the toys, let the adults talk. Now Cody, a beer? Or something else? Here, have some dip. Come, come!” My mum went right into host mode!

“Mum!! Calm down. I’ll get the drinks” I moved to her butlers pantry  where the fridge is, grabbing out drinks for everyone. 

As the night went on we ate and chatted away. Cody fit in perfectly with my family. The boys finding out they had a love of sport in common. I was helping mum to clear the dishes, “I like him. He’s polite, funny and he is dam good looking!!” I shook my head, laughing “mum!!” “What! I’m just being honest. But in all seriousness, I’m just happy to see you looking so happy.” 

“Yeah mum, I am happy” I smiled, turning over to look towards Cody, Justin and Nick were talking. Cody looked towards me, sensing me watching and smiled back. Maybe things would end up ok after all.